Empowering Chicago Teens: UIC's Innovative Path to Public Health Leadership
Inspiring the Next Generation
Mental health, climate change, and infectious diseases are pressing concerns that shape our daily lives. In response to these challenges, a new program at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is equipping young Chicagoans with the skills and knowledge to become trailblazers in public health. The program empowers future leaders, like 17-year-old Sai Auriga, to take proactive steps in making their communities healthier.
The Heart of Chi PHI
Sai, a senior at Walter Payton College Prep, is among the select Chicago Public High School students chosen for Chi PHI—the six-week Public Health Innovators program. Managed by Emily Etzkorn, Chi PHI aims to inspire students by emphasizing the importance of a robust public health workforce. “Healthy individuals are the bedrock of healthy communities,” said Etzkorn. According to FOX 32 Chicago, ensuring a strong future pipeline in public health is critical for the nation.
Lessons Beyond the Classroom
The program teaches students that “power is the ability to act”. For participants like Sai, this means learning how to enact change through public health strategies and research. Reflecting on Chicago’s united response to the pandemic, the program instills motivation and community-centric values. Public health, Sai realized, is a daily encounter—from clean water to wearing seatbelts—and it unites us in shared responsibility.
Diverse Pathways and Opportunities
Beyond fostering new Dr. Allison Arwadys, the program offers various career pathways. Whether aspiring to become a doctor, a doula, or an environmental scientist, students are exposed to a wide spectrum of public health roles. A pivotal lesson focuses on food access, a crucial determinant of community health. Through hands-on projects like fabric grow kits, students learn innovative solutions to urban food challenges.
Mentorship and Real-World Skills
Partnering with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the One Summer Chicago youth employment program, the initiative provides mentorship and practical experience. Students are not only introduced to leadership skills but are also compensated for their commitment. This collaborative effort ensures that young leaders are prepared to tackle future public health hurdles with confidence and expertise.
In nurturing these future leaders, the Chi PHI program inspires a brighter and healthier Chicago, where students are not just observers but active and empowered participants in public health.
